Friday, January 7, 2011

Education reform committee talks teachers; no meetings today

Yesterday at the Capitol
The House Education Reform committee met yesterday and members discussed committee priorities for the 2011 session, which include teacher training, licensure and evaluation.

Chair Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, offered the model of a three-legged stool to describe her approach to the committee’s work. "Absolutely, students are first," she said. The other two legs are supporting teachers and empowering parents.

Erickson said committee members should think about what will improve teaching, what will raise the standard or the caliber of teachers in the classroom. Lawmakers also seek to draw the best and brightest teachers into the profession. "My focus is how to make the job of teaching more attractive," said Rep. John Benson, DFL-Minnetonka. Politics in Minnesota is reporting that an alternative teacher licensure bill could be introduced as early as next week.

Today at the Capitol
There are no committee hearings scheduled for today, because the YMCA’s Youth in Government program is spending the day at the Capitol.

Republican legislative leadership will hold its first weekly media availability today at 10:30 a.m. in Room 125.

Televised on the Minnesota channel at 8:30 a.m. is House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, discussing his new role in the Minnesota House of Representatives, followed by House Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, at 9:00 a.m.

Looking Ahead
Monday, January 10

8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

9:00 AM
Senate Rules and Administration
Room: 112 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Amy Koch
Agenda: TBA

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

1:00 PM
Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget Overview

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Committee
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Minnesota Office of Higher Education overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

Tuesday, January 11
8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

Wednesday, January 12
8:00 AM
Regent Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 400N State Office Building
Chair: Jane Belau
Agenda: Candidate Interviews

Thursday, January 13
12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

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